Synopsis
noun
A short description or summary of something.
Read the synopsis of the book before starting to read it.
Often appears as...
- book synopsis
- film synopsis
noun
A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table.
The publisher will write a synopsis for each book which it offers for sale.
Often appears as...
- scientific synopsis
- literary synopsis
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In film and theatre, a brief summary or overview of a story.
The director asked for a synopsis of the script.
Often appears as...
- movie synopsis
- theatrical synopsis
noun
A short description or summary of something.
Read the synopsis of the book before starting to read it.
Often appears as...
- book synopsis
- film synopsis
noun
A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table.
The publisher will write a synopsis for each book which it offers for sale.
Often appears as...
- scientific synopsis
- literary synopsis
Usage tips
Academic
noun
In film and theatre, a brief summary or overview of a story.
The director asked for a synopsis of the script.
Often appears as...
- movie synopsis
- theatrical synopsis
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Pre-reading Aid
Use a synopsis to get a quick glimpse of a book or article, helping decide if it's worth reading.
I checked the synopsis on the back cover and got hooked.
Pro Tip 2/3Entice Readers
Book synopses are designed to entice without giving away key plot points or spoilers.
The book's synopsis hinted at a twist but kept the mystery intact.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Details
A good synopsis is concise and avoids unnecessary details, focusing on the main idea.
The synopsis should be short but must capture the main conflict of the story.
Compare with
abridgeabstractbriefcondensationdigestoutlineoverviewrecapitulatesummary
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Video examples
Gary Flake: is Pivot a...
It's in between, and we think it changes the way information can be used. So I want to extrapolate on this idea a bit with something that's a little bit crazy. What we're done here is we've taken every single Wikipedia page and we reduced it down to a little summary. So the summary consists of just a little synopsis
Video examples
Equipping change makers...
of the most important men in the world it's build rhythm they are shot a founder and the inventor of our field social the social de ponerse field build Raven vision for the future of social de ponerse is what we call synopsis
Video examples
Gary Flake: is Pivot a...
It's in between, and we think it changes the way information can be used. So I want to extrapolate on this idea a bit with something that's a little bit crazy. What we're done here is we've taken every single Wikipedia page and we reduced it down to a little summary. So the summary consists of just a little synopsis
Video examples
Equipping change makers...
of the most important men in the world it's build rhythm they are shot a founder and the inventor of our field social the social de ponerse field build Raven vision for the future of social de ponerse is what we call synopsis
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Amala Paul
Indian Actress
I was telling my manager that I wanted to quit the industry because the synopsis I was receiving from filmmakers all felt like a lie. Yes, they were heroine-centric... but the concepts were simple. Like a rape victim, her struggling against the odds and gaining revenge, or a wife who supports her husband endlessly, or a sacrificial mother.
Quote examples
Jackie Collins
British Author
I write synopses after the book is completed. I can't write it beforehand, because I don't know what the book's about. I invent something for my publisher because he asks for one, but the final book ends up very differently.
Quote examples
Shane Carruth
American Writer
I hate even the idea of a synopsis. When stories are really working, when you're providing subtextual exploration and things that are deeply layered, you're obligated to not say things out loud.
Quote examples
James Salter
American Novelist
Although I've made notes for things and even written synopses sitting in trains or on park benches, for the complete composition of things I need absolute solitude, preferably an empty house.
Quote examples
Shweta Tripathi
Indian Actress
I was not aware of alopecia before 'Gone Kesh,' and when I heard the synopsis, read the script, I realized how ignorant we are about people's lifestyles and their issues.
Quote examples
H. P. Lovecraft
American Novelist
It would not be amiss for the novice to write the last paragraph of his story first, once a synopsis of the plot has been carefully prepared - as it always should be.
Quote examples
Emmanuelle Beart
French Actress
I can't just react on the strength of an email and three pages of synopsis, and say I'm going to take off for three months of my life.
Quote examples
Jo Nesbo
Norwegian Author
Normally I start with a plot, and write a synopsis, and the ideas come from the construction.
Quote examples
Celine Sciamma
I don't write a synopsis, I don't write a treatment. I write scene by scene.
Quote examples
Peter Carey
Australian Novelist
I always pity people who have to write my plot synopses.
Quote examples
Amala Paul
Indian Actress
I was telling my manager that I wanted to quit the industry because the synopsis I was receiving from filmmakers all felt like a lie. Yes, they were heroine-centric... but the concepts were simple. Like a rape victim, her struggling against the odds and gaining revenge, or a wife who supports her husband endlessly, or a sacrificial mother.
Quote examples
Jackie Collins
British Author
I write synopses after the book is completed. I can't write it beforehand, because I don't know what the book's about. I invent something for my publisher because he asks for one, but the final book ends up very differently.
Quote examples
Shane Carruth
American Writer
I hate even the idea of a synopsis. When stories are really working, when you're providing subtextual exploration and things that are deeply layered, you're obligated to not say things out loud.
Quote examples
James Salter
American Novelist
Although I've made notes for things and even written synopses sitting in trains or on park benches, for the complete composition of things I need absolute solitude, preferably an empty house.
Quote examples
Shweta Tripathi
Indian Actress
I was not aware of alopecia before 'Gone Kesh,' and when I heard the synopsis, read the script, I realized how ignorant we are about people's lifestyles and their issues.
Quote examples
H. P. Lovecraft
American Novelist
It would not be amiss for the novice to write the last paragraph of his story first, once a synopsis of the plot has been carefully prepared - as it always should be.
Quote examples
Emmanuelle Beart
French Actress
I can't just react on the strength of an email and three pages of synopsis, and say I'm going to take off for three months of my life.
Quote examples
Jo Nesbo
Norwegian Author
Normally I start with a plot, and write a synopsis, and the ideas come from the construction.
Quote examples
Celine Sciamma
I don't write a synopsis, I don't write a treatment. I write scene by scene.
Quote examples
Peter Carey
Australian Novelist
I always pity people who have to write my plot synopses.
Example 1 of 10
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